We started the freeagent program early in 2008 and since then the program has not changed much.
This year we are taking the feedback we heard from you and are going to make the program more fun.
You told us that you would like to work on your skills a bit more and gel better as a team. So here is what we are doing about it.
- We added the evaluation skate before the start of the season.
- The first 4 sessions of the program will now be a camp
- Each session will have instructors and will be coached
- You will work on team concepts like break outs, defensive zone coverage, positioning and so on
- The next 12 sessions will be games in the most appropriate division based on the over all skill level
After the first 4 sessions the team will have a better idea where each player plays, where you should be on the ice and what you should be doing.
This should be much more fun than just being thrown on a team.
Registration for summer will open as soon as we have all the details posted.
Our hockey philosophy can be described in four words.
- Character
- Respect
- Maturity
- Integrity
Character – is about making the tough decisions, it is about seeing where your teammates may be stepping out of line and helping them out when needed. It is about being a leader within yourself and helping others be leaders as well. It is about taking a negative situation and turning it around into a positive one by making a tough choice of removing yourself out of the game or one of your teammates when things get too heated.
Respect – you can not demand it, you can not buy it but you can earn it by giving it to everyone on and off the ice. There is no need to swear at the ref or throw a temper tantrum. Do you really think people will respond to the one who is making demands? It takes respect not to hack or yap at your opponent and it takes respect to play the game with class.
Maturity – comes with experience and unfortunately in most cases age. It is a lot easier to get dragged down to someone’s level when they are making it easy for you to drop the gloves. What would that achieve in the game or in the real world? What will be proven by tripping a guy or slamming a player into the boards? Will the score at the end of the game matter or is it more important to enjoy each other’s company on the ice and in the dressing room? No one is heading to the NHL, that ship has sailed a long time ago for some and never has left the port for most. So why not apologize to your opponent you just tripped and help him get up so he can enjoy the game the same way you do?
Integrity – the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished. Being example on the ice, on the bench and in the dressing room will maintain the integrity of the hockey philosophy. It looks weak when you don’t walk the walk, when you give it to the refs and then turn around and tell the guys on the bench to cool it. Better yet do as I say not as I do, that must be the most hypocritical quote available. Think it, say it and live it or don’t. There is no middle ground.
Here is an opportunity for you to pay way less for hockey this season. Save $50 off your registration.
All you have to do is find two other friends to play hockey on the same team with you. We will place all three of your on the same team guaranteed!
First each of you will save $50 (by the way this applies to the next person to sign up as part of your group and the one after and so on) and you will have buddies to play with on the team, way more fun to play with some people you already know!
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We are starting a new division in the new year (January 2011). Join today and you will have team to play for in January. Once we hit 10 skaters and a goalie the team can start playing games. Simple as that.
So far we have successfully placed over 80 Freeagents like you on teams that play in the league. If you want to play hockey this winter, what are you waiting for? Register now!
Here is what some of the current freeagents have to say.
“I enjoyed the NCHL in Calgary, there’s always a few meatheads but it was definitely limited as opposed to other leagues I’ve played in”
Randy G. Wright #12
Show what others are saying
Have you ever wanted to be drafted by a defunct NHL team? Now you can. Check out the Draft Tournament in Jasper April 15th-17th. You get to play 5 games, a draft party, team jersey of one of the extinct NHL teams you will be drafted on to (Atlanta, Colorado, Hartford, Montreal, Quebec, and Winnipeg) and accommodation in one package.
For more information please visit http://tournaments.nchl.com
If you are already playing in the league and want to view your stats or your team stats please visit our stats page at www.nchl.com/edmonton
Do you feel like getting on the ice one more time a week? Want to do it in a less structured environment?
Come on out to our Saturday night shinny, we hold it every Saturday before the end of the year (excluding holidays of course) at 9:45 PM. Please contact Brett Ireland via email b[dot]ireland[at]nchl[dot]com or 1-877-685-6245 ext 2
Cost is $10 for 1.25 hours of ice.
NCHL Edmonton is now in it’s 3rd week of play, we are planning to add one more division in the new year that will be playing mostly out of the new Terwillegar 4 pad facility. We will be registering new teams, some of them will need players so you can still register to play in the new division.
Due to shorter availability in the new facility we may modify the season to include slightly less games, the fees of course will be pro-rated accordingly.
Don’t forget to check out the stats site at http://www.nchl.com/edmonton
We have been getting a lot of interest about the NCHL, thank you!
Here are some common questions that came up so far.
What times will games start?
- Games start times will range between 9:15PM and 10:45PM (there is only one regular weekly slot at 10:45PM and you may not play on it depending on your schedule)
What days of the week will the games be on?
- We have ice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays – there may be an on Sunday game.
How many times a week will we play?
Which arenas will we be playing out of?
- Crestwood, the new TCRC and possibly Kenilworth.
What is the cost to play?
- Individual registration is 479+GST it includes a jersey (3o value)
- If you register in a group of 3 or more players, each person gets a 50 buddy bonus and the fees are then 429+GST